Terminal block



March 26, 1946. P, s. GRAHAM 2,397,102

TERMINAL BLOCK Filed Ot'. 28, 1942 WITNESSES; INVENTOR MZM P00! 5. era/7am. 4

ATT NEY Patented Mar. 26, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,397,102 H v n TERDHNAL BLOCK Paul S. Graham, Wilkinsburg, Pa., assignor to Westinghouse Electric Corporation, East Pittsburgh, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application October 28, 1942, Serial No. 463,626

7 Claims. (01. us -s24) My invention relates, generally, to terminal blocks and it has reference in particular to multiple terminal blocks suitable for use in wiring electrical apparatus.

Generally stated, it is an object of my invention to provide a multiple terminal block which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and is readily assembled and installed.

More specifically, it is an object of my invention to provide a flexible terminal block construction whereby different numbers of similar terminal block members may be readily connected together to form multiple terminal blocks of different sizes.

It is also an object of my invention to provide for assembling a plurality of terminal block members in interfitting relation and using interchangeable end members therewith.

Another object of my invention is to provide for loosely positioning a terminal member in a recess on one side of a terminal block member and securing it therein by means of an adjacent member.

Yet another object of my invention is to provide an infinite number of sizes of sectional terminal blocks by using assemblies of different numbers of similar terminal block member with interchangeable end members.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an easily assembled sectional multiple terminal block.

It is also an important object of the invention to provide a substantially enclosed multiple terminal block.

Another important object of my invention is to provide for interfltting a number of tenninal block members so as to increase the leakage path between the terminals and between the terminals and ground.

Yet another important object of the invention is to provide a multiple terminal block construction utilizing a minimum number of different parts.

Other objects will in part be obvious, and in part be explained hereinafter.

In accordance with my invention, multiple terminal blocks are provided with any number of terminal members by assembling the desired number of terminal block members in side-bywill side relation and connecting them together be tween end members. Each terminal block member has its own terminal member and connecting means with an upstanding barrier along one side thereof. A transverse web projects over the terminal member intermediate the ends so that the terminal member is secured thereunder when an adjoining member is placed in position. Interchangeable end members are positioned at each end of the assembled terminal blockmembers, and rods passing through the terminal block members and end members connect them together in a unitary construction;v

For amore complete understanding of the nature and scope of my invention, reference may be had to the accompanying drawing, in

which:

Figure 1 is a partly broken planview of a multipleterminal block embodying the principal features of the invention;

Fig. 2 is aside elevational view of a terminal block'shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is aview taken along the line III--III of Fig. 1, showing one of the terminal block members in end elevation.

. Fig. 4 is a view taken along the line IV-IV of Fi 2.

Fig. 5 is a partly broken plan view of a terminal. block embodying a modification of the invention.

-,Fig.' 6 isa side elevational view of the terminal blockshown in Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a .view taken along the line V1I-VII of Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is a plan View of one of the terminal.

block members; and

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken along the line IXIX of Fig. '7.

Referring to 'Figs. 1 and 2, the reference numeral l0 may denote generally a multiple terminal block comprising a plurality of terminal block members ll provided with terminal members 12 and assembled in side-by-side relation between end members l4. While only four terminal block members are shown in the drawing, it is to be understood that any numbar may be used, depending on the number of circuits for which terminal connections may be required. --The terminal block members H and end members l4 may be connected together to provide a unitary construction by suitable con- E nal members l2 when a number of terminal block members are assembled in side-by-side relation.

As best shown in Figs. 1 and 3, a transverse barrier or web portion l9 may be provided intermediate the ends of the terminal block member, which may be spaced from the base portion so as to provide a recess 20 between the web and .base portions open on one side. For example, the transverse web or barrier may be formed integral with the upstanding longitudinal barrier 18. The web l9 may further be provided with a plane upper surface 22 extending substantially the width of the terminal block member. Thus when a number of terminal block members ll are assembled in side-by-side relation, the surface portions 22 of the barriers are in alignment and provide a marker strip whereon may be placed suitable circuit indicia for the difierent terminal members. For example, the terminal blocks may be provided with the indi'cia, C, T, R and Grespectively, reading from left to right, these indici'a indicating in this instance close and trip circuits, and circuits for red and green close and open indicating lamps. Other indicia may .be used in a similar manner as desired.

The terminal members l2 may be of any suitable construction comprising, for example, in one form an elongated terminal plate l3 having terminal screws l1 threaded therein adjacent the opposite ends. In order to position the terminal member relative to the terminal block member, suitable means may be provided for effecting an interlocking relation between the terminal member l2 and the terminal block member H to prevent longitudinal movement of the terminal memb er relative to the terminal block member when a number of terminal block members are assembled. For example, as shown in Fig. 3,. means such as the notch or recess 24 may be provided on one side of the terminal plate I3 intermediate the ends for receiving a projection 25 from the wall or barrier portion l8. Thus, when a terminal member is placed in position on a terminal block member, and another terminal block member or an end member is positioned alongside, the recess 20 is closed, and the terminal member is locked in place.

Recesses 26 may be provided. in the base portion it of the terminal block member to "accommodate the lower portions of the terminal screws II. If desired, the recesses 26 may be made to extend to the ends of the terminal block member, so that the terminal plate I3 is in eifect secured between the central upstanding web portion 28 defined by the recesses 26 below the terminal plate and the web portion 19 above.

In order to assist in the assembly of the terminal block members. I! into a unitary structure with the individual terminal block members in proper alignment, interfitting portions may be provided on the opposite sides of each terminal block member. For example, a projecting boss 30 may be provided on one side of the terminal block member at one end. of a transverse opening 3! through the base portion for receiving suitable connecting means, while a. complementary recess 32 may be provided about the opening 3| on the other side of the terminal block member. A similar projecting boss '34 and recess 35 may be provided at the ends of an upper transverse opening 3b in the web l9 for additional securing means, only on opposite sides of the terminal block member. The transverse openings are preferably symmetrically located relative to the edges of the terminal block members to facilitate interchangeability of the end members. Thus when a plurality of terminal block members H are assembled in side-by-side relation with the terminal members i2 positioned in the recesses 20, the projecting bosses and recesses at the ends of the transverse openings 3! and 36 interfit. Alignment of the terminal block members is thus readily secured.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the end members i l may comprise generally relatively flat body portions 38 having angularly related end flanges 39. Transverse webs l9 may extend across the body portions between the end portions 39 intermediate the upper and lower edges, provided with means, such as the slots 4|, for receiving screws or the like. (not shown) for fastening the terminal block to asuitable support.

In order to permit the end members i l to be used in interchangeable relation they may be provided with projecting bosses til and recesses 32 about the transverse openings for the connecting means it. When an end member is used at one end of an assembled stack of terminal block members the right end in Fig. 1, for example, it serves only as a receiving means. When used at the other end the body portion 39 forms a barrier for the adjacent terminal block, and also serves to block its terminal member in posi tion. To interchange the end members, they need merely be turned top for bottom or vice versa so that the bosses 30 and recesses 32 are changed from top to bottom or vice versa.

Referring to Figs. 5 and 6, the reference numer'al 56 may denote generally a substantially enclosed multiple terminal block comprising a plurality of terminal block members 5| assembled in side-by-side relation between end members 5-2.

As shown in Figs. '7, 8 and 9, each terminal block member 5i may comprise a substantially rectangular block of insulating material such as hard rubber, phenolic resin, or the like having a base portion 53 with an upstanding longitudinal wall or barrier portion 54- along one side thereof and lateral recesses 55 and 56 opening on the other side of the terminal block member. A constricted opening or recess 57 may be provided be tween the intermediate transverse. web portion 58 defined by the recesses 55 and 55 for receiving the intermediate portion 59 of a suitable terminal member 60. End openings 5'? may be provided in the terminal block members for receiving conductors to be connected to the terminalmembers. As shown, the openings 62 may be relatively long and narrow to accommodate diiierent sizes of conductors, and they may be provided with enlarged outer bores 63 to receive-the insulation of conductors, so as to prevent possible contact with the bare conductors. Transverse. openings 65' may be provided on the upper side of the terminal block member for gaining access to the terminal member. 4

The terminal member itself may be of any suitable design comprising, for example, a relatively flat terminal plate withv terminal screws adjacent the ends as shown in Figs. 1 through i, or it may comprise a terminal plate iii having a dropped intermediate portion 59 positioned in the recess 51 provided with connector loops 68 adjacent the ends having screws 69 for adjusting them relative to the terminal plate for securing-,- the end of' a conductor in the adjustable openings l0.

Transverse openings H and 72 may be provided in the terminal block members substantially equidistant from th upper and lower edges thereof for receiving connecting means to secure the terminal block members and the end members together. The connecting means may be of any suitable type comprising, for example, an elongated metal tube 11 spun over at the ends to provide a shoulder 13, 01' it may comprise an elongated bolt having a head at one end and a nut at the other. If it is desired to minimize the possibility of leakage between terminal block members, the connecting means may comprise an elongated rod or tube 1'! having a coating of suitable insulating material 14 such as paper, mica, varnish, phenolic resin, or the like.

In order to assist in assembling the terminal block members and to increase the leakage path between the terminal members and the support whereon the terminal block may be mounted, the terminal block members may be provided with complementary interfitting projections and recesses. For example, longitudinal projecting ribs 15 may be provided substantially equidistant from the upper and lower edges of the members on opposite sides thereof while complementary longitudinal grooves 18 may be provided substantially opposite the ribs 1 5.

The end members 52 may comprise generally substantially flat body portions I8 having upturned end portions 19 with longitudinal webs or flanges 80 extending therebetween intermediate the upper and lower edges. Openings or recesses 8| may be provided in the flanges 80 for receiving screws or other suitabl means of securing the terminal block to a support. Complementary 1ongitudinal ribs 15 and grooves '16 may be provided along the surface 83 of the body portion 18 on the side opposite the flange 80 to cooperate with the ribs and grooves of the terminal block members for effecting interfitting relation therewith.

As in the terminal block construction shown in Figs. 1 through 4, the terminal block of Figs. through 9 may comprise any desired number of terminal block members 5| assembled in side-byside relation. The interfitting ribs and grooves 15 and I6 assist greatly in aligning the members. When a. number of terminal block members are thus assembled, the lateral recesses 55 and 56 thereof are substantially enclosed so that no live portions of the terminal members are exposed. A safe and neat terminal block is thus provided.

From the above description and the accom-- panying drawing, it will be apparent that I have provided a multiple terminal block construction whereby a large number of different combinations may be provided. As many terminal block members as desired may be readily assembled and clamped between end members without requiring more than one type of terminal block member and one type of end member to be carried in stock. The provision of numerous difierent sizes of terminal blocks for different numbers of circuits is thus greatly facilitated with a minimum expenditure.

Since certain changes may be made in the above description and different embodiments of the invention may be made without departing from the spirit thereof, it is intended that all the matter claimed in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawing, shall be considered as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim as my invention:

1. A terminal block comprising. a plurality of similar terminal block members having upwardly projecting barrier portions along one side and partially enclosed recesses opening on the other side to receive terminal members, said terminal block members having complementary projections and recesses to effect mechanical interlocking between adjacent member in side by side relation, and means including identical reversible end members having complementary recesses and pro- J'ections for mechanically interlocking with the end terminal block members to secure the members together. I

- 2. An enclosed terminal block member comprising spaced apart base and cover portions integral with an upstanding barrier extending along one side and having a transversely projecting web intermediate the ends with an opening therethrough and transverse end walls integral with the base and cover portions cooperative to define recesses opening on the other side, and a terminal member positioned within the recesses having an intermediate portion positioned in said opening.

3. A terminal block member comprising, a body member of insulating material having integral base and cover portions connected by integral wall portions along one side and at the ends defining a pair of spaced enclosures open on one side connected by a constricted opening from the same side, and a terminal member having an intermediate portion positionable in the constricted opening provided with connecting means adjacent the ends positioned in the spaced enclosures so as to be accessible through the openings into said enclosures.

4. A multiple terminal block comprising, a plurality of terminal block members assembled in side-by-side relation, base and cover portions integral with side 'and end walls defining enclosures having openings on one side to receive terminal members and restricted openings into said enclosures through the end walls and covers for gaining access to the terminal members when assembled, said terminal block members being provided with interfitting recesses and projections on adjoining sides, interchangeable end members having projections and recesses to interfit with those of the terminal block members, and means securing th end members and terminal block members together.

5. A multiple terminal block comprising, a plurality of terminal block members of insulating material positioned in side-by-side relation each having base and cover portions connected by side I and end walls defining a recess in one side to receive and substantially enclose an elongated terminal member having securing means adjacent the ends, said end walls being provided with end openings into the recess for receiving conductors and the cover being provided with openings for gaining access to the securing means, said terminal block members having alined transverse openings, an end member having transverse openings alined with those of the terminal block members, and common connecting means positioned in the openings of the terminal block and end member.

6. An interchangeable end member for use at either end of one or more multiple unit terminal block members having complementary recessed and projecting portions on opposite sides for ef-- fecting an interlocking relationship comprising, a substantially upright elongated wall portion having a flange projecting on one side intermediate the longitudinal edges with an opening for securing means and transverse spaced wall openings substantially equidistant from the said edges of the wall portion,. said wail portionhaving-complementary' recessed and projecting portions substantially equidistant from the said edges. on the side of the wall portion opposit the flange for effecting interlocking engagement with the; projecting and recessed portions of the terminal blockvmembers.

7. A terminal block member for a multiple.v as.- sembly comprising, a base portion of insulating material having an upstanding barrier along one edge and a transverse Web intermediate the ends spaced from the base portion, an elongated terminal member having conductor connecting means adjacent the ends positioned between the web" and the base portion, said base portion and web being provided with openings extending. transversely of the member and equidistant from theupper and. lower edges thereof, and means for mechanically interlocking adjacent members includingcomplementary projections and recesses at opposite ends of the transverse openings. in opposite-senses'.

PAUL S. GRAHAM. 

